Marlon Mack providing spark to Colts' rushing attack

Throughout the first six weeks of the season, the Indianapolis Colts looked to have no hope of a rushing attack being a part of their offensive gameplan. In the last two weeks, running back Marlon Mack has looked to flip the script.

Following the monstrous 37-5 rout over the Buffalo Bills, the Colts displayed a rushing attack that hasn’t been seen on the field in recent seasons. Behind a career-day from Mack, there is hope that the Colts might have a ground game.

Despite the notion that the Colts would be running a committee, head coach Frank Reich has been going with the hot hand, and he’s found a scalding pair with Mack, who took 19 carries for 126 yards (both career-highs) and a touchdown while adding two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

It was the first time in Mack’s career that he scored multiple touchdowns in a single game.

Since he returned from his nagging hamstring injury in Week 6, Mack has been the clear-cut leader for the Colts in the backfield, and he’s earned the right to be the featured back.

Since his Week 6 return against the New York Jets, Mack has taken 31 carries for 215 yards and one touchdown. He has more carries, yards and touchdowns than rest of the running back room combined in the last two games.

While Mack has certainly provided the juice in the backfield for the Colts, his strong play shouldn’t be acknowledged without also giving the proper credit to the offensive line.

Not only has the Colts’ front five of Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski and Braden Smith been exceptional in pass protection, they have also created vast running lanes on a consistent basis.

Colts head coach Frank Reich admitted the need for offensive balance when it comes to playcalling and while the game script sometimes determines what to call, Mack is making it easier for the first-year head coach.

Though he deserves it, it remains to be seen if Mack will continue to see the lion’s share of snaps in the backfield given Reich’s affinity for committees.

Regardless, the second-year back has provided`the type of spark the Colts needed in the backfield while giving the fanbase some hope in an area that has lacked it for the majority of this decade.

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